Newport Wetlands

Newport Wetlands is a National Nature Reserve with many acres of reedbeds and wetlands crossed by easy to navigate paths.

A wide range of bird species use the reedbeds and mudflats to shelter, nest and find food, so you will spot many.

The visitor centre has toilets, a café and shop.

What to see

Newport Wetlands is best known for its range of wetland birds, from the beautifully marked bearded tit perching at the top of the reeds, to the dainty little egret, fishing in the pools.

In the autumn, goldfinch can be seen feeding on the seed heads of teasel and the starling roost during autumn and winter is a stunning wildlife spectacle at dusk.

At the estuary, see which birds are using the extensive mud flats – look out for Dunlin, Redshank or Oystercatchers probing the mud.

The wetlands are not just home to birds though, so keep your eyes open for bumblebees, dragonflies, butterflies and moths during the summer months – perhaps you will spot Newport’s rare shrill carder bee?

Grass snakes may be seen soaking up the sun at the edge of paths or swimming amongst the reeds.

The reserve is also home to mammals such as badgers, moles, wood mice and otters.

When it comes to plants, the reserve is also home to many species of orchid, including the striking bee orchid.

History

This reserve at the mouth of the river Usk was opened in 2000 to compensate for loss of extensive mudflats with the completion of the Cardiff Bay barrage.

It stretches from Goldcliff to Uskmouth and was once an ash covered wasteland for the neighbouring coal-fired Uskmouth power station.